Crutch



Patented February 9, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. RENNO, OF SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA.

CRUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 751,942, dated February 9, 1904.

Application filed November 30, 1903. Serial No. 183,206. (No model-1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J ornv A. RENNO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sumter, in the county of Sumter and State of .South Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Crutches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relatesto new and useful im provements in crutches; and its object is to provide a simple and durable device of this character which can be adjusted to support defective legs of different lengths.

A further object is to provide a crutch which can be used by itself.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a crutch-frame having a detachable handle extending from one side thereof, said handle being adjustably secured to the frame. A shelf is also adjustably mounted within and extends inward from the frame and is adapted to support the leg and has an adjustable supporting-arm connected to the frame.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a crutch constructed in accordance. with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough'. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the handle and its securing-bolt detached. Fig. 4: is a detail view of the shelf. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the shelf-supporting plates, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through the holding-bar of the supporting-arm.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a crutch-frame of ordinary construction, and secured to the inner faces of the side strips thereof are plates 2, having series of perforations 3 therein, adapted to register with similar perforations in the side strips of the frame. These plates are secured in position in any suitable manner, preferably by means of screws 4. A block 5 is interposed between plates 2 and is secured thereto by means of a bolt 6, which'projects through the plates and through the side strips of the frame 1. Shoulders 7 are formed integral with the block and are adapted to bear upon the outer faces of the side strips, and arms 8 project from the shouldered portions of the block and have a grip 9'secured thereupon. A shelf 10 is interposed between the plates 2 and is adapted to extend inward from the frame 1, and this shelf has a passage 11 theretrrough for receiving a bolt 12, which is adapted to project through the plates 2 and the side strips of the frame 1. An arm 13 is secured to the lower face of the shelf 10 and extends downward through a passage 14:, formed within the center of a cross-strip 15. This strip has recesses 16 in its ends for receiving pivot-pins 17 arranged within the side strips of frame 1. A set-screw 18 is adapted to lock the arm 13 within the passage 14.

In using the crutch above described the shelf 10 is adjusted to a desired elevation to accommodate it to the leg to be placed thereon, and this adjustment is effected by withdrawing the bolt 12 and reinserting it through the desired apertures 3. The arm 13 is likewise adjusted within the strip 15 and is locked therein by the set-screw 18. Grip 9 is adjusted to a desired elevation by withdrawing its bolt 6 and reinserting it inthe proper apertures, and the shoulder -7 of the block 5 will bear upon the front faces of the side strips of frame 1 and hold the arms 8 at right angles to the frame.

It will be seen that the crutch can be quickly applied by placing the leg upon the shelf. 10 andgrasping the handle 9. It is only neces sary to employ one crutch.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination with a crutch frame having apertures therein, and apertured plates secured to the frame; of a handle adjustably 1 mg With the apertures in the frame; of a block connected to the frame, a shelf adjustably connected to the frame, and a supporting-arm depending from the shelf and secured to the frame.

2. The combination with a crutchframe having apertures therein; of a handle extending laterally from the frame and adjustably secured to the apertured portion thereof, a shelf arranged between and adjustably secured to the apertured portion of the frame, an arm depending therefrom, and means for adjustably connecting the arm to the frame.

3. The combination with a crutchframe having an apertured portion, and plates secured to the frame having apertures registerwithin the frame, a securing device extending therethrough and through the apertures, shoulders integral with the block and bearing upon the. frame, arms extending from the block, a grip secured thereto, and a shelf adjustably connected to the frame.

4. The combination with a crutch-frame having apertures therein, and plates secured to the frame and having apertures registering with the apertures in the frame; of a handle adjustably secured to the frame, a shelf extending from the frame, a securing device extending through the shelf and apertures, a cross-strip pivotally mounted within the frame, an arm depending from the shelf and adjustably mounted in the cross-strip, and means for securing the arm in the cross-strip.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN A. RENNO.

Witnesses:

S. CHERRY, H. R. CAMPBELL. 

